It’s important that Canadians living with diabetes be able to properly recognize, prevent and treat the many signs and symptoms of hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episodes, as they are at higher risk for the condition than others.

Because the symptoms are so distressing – and often occur in the presence of relatives, friends or coworkers, which can be humiliating or embarrassing – many people with diabetes develop a strong fear of hypoglycemia and take any steps necessary to avoid it.

Doug Burns worked for years to build strength and fitness to help him manage his type 1 diabetes, but that didn’t prepare or completely protect him from the impacts of a severe hypoglycemia attack. Supplied

Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta (left) and colleagues at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre published a study earlier in 2018 that revealed the stigma associated with having type 1 diabetes as a young person resulted in a greater risk of complications. Mariam Elkeraby (right) is one of the peer leaders in the Virtual Peer Network, helping young people with diabetes connect and share experiences and counteract feelings of being stigmatized. Supplied